Utes: Series Bathurst Thursday notes

Crambrook Cranks it at the Mountain in the V8 Utes 2008
Bathurst champion, Layton "Leadfoot" Crambrook was the fastest V8 Ute around the track in both practice sessions today, (Thursday, 8th October), for the start of Round Seven of the 2009 ...

Crambrook Cranks it at the Mountain in the V8 Utes 2008

Bathurst champion, Layton "Leadfoot" Crambrook was the fastest V8 Ute around the track in both practice sessions today, (Thursday, 8th October), for the start of Round Seven of the 2009 Yokohama V8 Ute Racing Series  protected by Armor All.

"We're very happy with how the cars going. Hopefully I'll walk away with the lead after this weekend," said Crambrook.

2007 Champion, Grant Johnson was on top of the time sheets in the 12th minute of session two but lost it just two minutes later to Crambrook who then held the top spot for the remainder.

Series leader Jack Elsegood, who is only 10 points ahead of Crambrook on the ladder, will have to pick up the pace in tomorrow's qualifying after trailing Crambrook by 0.47seconds in session number two.

Current Racer Industries Rookie of the year leader, Paul Williams was forced to sit out of most of practice one due to engine failure. His Brock Race Engineering team worked overtime between sessions to replace the motor and get the car up and running and fortunately the #25 Holden VE was able to join the session with only 13 minutes left to run.

"It was good to get the car back on the track. I love this place. I'm so happy to be racing here and the guys did a great job to get me back out there. I'm looking forward to racing tomorrow," said Williams.

It appears the extra laps in the V8 Supercar are paying off for "Jesus All About Life" Racing's Andrew Fisher who is doing double duty this weekend between that and the V8 Ute and improved ninth in session one to fifth in session two.

Marshall Brewer is driving for good mate George Elliot (who is recovering from back surgery) but blew the power-steering hose in the Vittoria Coffee #55 and was unable to finish the race. Also suffering DNF woes was Ben Dunn in the Storage King XR8 and Peter Burnitt in the NRW Falcon when the duo made contact.

Burnitt is starting a bit of a family affair in the Motorsport world, son-in-law Brad Patton already races alongside him in the Series and future son-in-law Rohan Barry is experiencing a V8 Ute and the Mount Panorama track for the first time this weekend in the Scott Jennings #16 car.

Workhorse Collision Repairs driver Ben Kavich should be happy with tenth overall despite a mystery fuel cap issue  it was one of his best results at the Mount Panorama track to date.

The V8 Utes will take to the track at 8:20am Friday, 9th October for Qualifying and then back on the track on Saturday at 9:25am for Race 2 and 2:55pm for Race 3.

Round Seven will wrap up after Race 3 on Sunday at 7:25am before the Supercheap Auto 1000.

Race 2 and Race 3 will be televised live on Network Seven, Saturday 10th October and Sunday 11th October consecutively.

Race 2 will be televised in the 12pm telecast at 3pm and Race 3 within the 7am telecast.